Have you ever wondered, "Why does my dog do that when he knows he's not supposed to?" "Why does my dog ignore me?" "Why does my dog refuse to walk on a loose leash?" "Why does my dog eat my stuff when I'm away?'
Do your answers to yourself sound something like this? "He knows better; he's just doing that for spite." "He's so happy to be out, that's why he pulls on the leash." "He's ignoring me; that's the stubborn streak in him." "He gets mad when I leave him, that's why he eats my stuff..."
Ever stop to think about the reasoning behind your answers and realize that all of those thoughts are brought about by the human mind and emotions; things that the dog doesn't operate with, and therefore, can't possibly abide by?
Our dogs are part of the family, right? Of course they are. But many times, people unjustly treat their dogs like people in fur clothing. I have had owners look at me in shock and disgust when I point out to them that their furred family member, is in fact, a dog and should be treated as one.
While I find treating my dog as the dog he is to be the kindest form of respect; I'm often brought up short by owners who are insulted that I should even suggest such a thing! Humans treating their dogs like their children; I find this to be the basis of many behavior problems in the dogs I'm hired to evaluate. Miscommunication between species---this is cause of 100% of behavioral problems.
Dogs are first, and foremost, pack animals. They instinctively adhere to a very strict social structure that has one leader (alpha). The rest of the pack are followers (subordinate) . The chain of command changes constantly within a pack to ensure the long term survival of the social structure. For instance, if the alpha dog is hurt, then the next dominant dog will take over the leadership role until which time the alpha recovers and re-establishes the pack leadership. Dogs must show they are worthy of alpha.
When dogs live with humans, we become their 'pack." Just because we have taken the dog away from other dogs and bring them into our human homes does not make them any less dog; nor does it take away any of it's innate pack behaviors. These traits are, and always will belong to the dog. No matter how much we dress them up, give them designer beds, push them in doggie strollers, or cater to them in our quirky human ways, the dog always will be a dog. Period.
If there is no structure or leadership present in your dog's environment, he will take it upon himself to be that leader. What results are undesirable, and sometimes even aggressive, behaviors that stem from a dog who has been given the role of leader; and probably didn't want it in the first place!
When we say that "he was mad at me, that's why he ate my stuff." We unjustly reflect human characteristics; of which, by the way, a dog never has, and never will be able to understand or exhibit. Anger is a human emotion. It has no place in the dog's world, or in training for that matter.
A dog eats your stuff while you're gone, because in his eyes, he is the alpha, and a member of it's pack has gone away. Imagine that you are in a shopping mall, and one of your children wanders off. You would be frantic, calling the child's name, looking around every corner, and doing everything in your power to find your child. Nothing would calm you except the safe return of your child.
This is what happens from a dog's perspective, (often referred to as separation anxiety): Because there has been no effective leadership demonstrated in the home, the dog innately feels the need to establish the role of alpha that he is ill equipt to handle. Driven by his instinctive need for a pack, has taken upon himself the overwhelming task of being responsible for you. The only thing he knows is that you've disappeared and he must do all that is possible to find you. Your scent on "your stuff" excites him and causes him to want more of it...I.,e., chewing and shredding to get as much of your scent as possible. He doesn't chew your stuff when you are there, not because he knows you will get mad (dogs don't reason like humans), but because there is no need. You are there, and his pack is complete--no need to chew on your stuff.
Okay, so where does all this pack stuff come into training and behavior modification? Learning to properly communicate through pack-based principals is the basis of everything in a dog's world..especially training! This is they key to the kingdom, so to speak. Teaching a dog by way of natural means that he innately understands just makes sense.
If you were to bring a foreign exchange student into your home, would you punish him/her for making a mistake because they didn't understand your language? Would you put that same child who does not understand your language in complete and total charge of all the other children in the house? Of course not, that would be absurd---but no more absurd that expecting a different species to be integrated into a foreign environment, requiring him to follow human rules that don't make sense to him, expected to act like a human; and then get in trouble when he "fails" to operate with human traits and instead acts like the dog he is. By learning to interpret and use the intricate societal structure and language that dogs use to communicate with one another, we are able to tap into an incredible resource that provides us consistency, understanding, respect, and reliability.
How many times have you been to someone's house (or maybe this happens in your own home), where the dog has to be locked up before a visitor can come in, lest the dog jump all over or push said visitor off of furniture? How many people have you seen dragged on a "walk" with their canine companion? Has your dog ever pushed you out of the way when you were going through a doorway in order to get through first? Has your dog ever totally ignored you when you gave him a command that you know he knows inside out? Does your dog sleep on your bed....and if so, does he claim the top of the bed and spread out? Does he ignore your commands to move..or growl (or snap) in protest if you try to move him? Does your dog constantly step on your foot, or try to rest his foot on a part of you? Does your dog suffer from "separation anxiety?"
While these things seem annoying at best, most people are shocked to learn that all of these behaviors are indicators that the dog is the alpha in the family; and each time the dog gets away with any one of these behaviors, he has increased his leadership status and the owner falls yet another rung beneath him. In a dog's world, if no one else claims leadership, it's time to step up. Eventually, the dog runs the house, and drastic provisions have to be made to accommodate the dog's out of control behavior.
This is the foundation of aggression for some dogs. If their owner doesn't recognize these subtle hints, the dog will start growling or even snapping at what he views as an errant subordinate. Anxious owners who have never sought professional training for their dog call for immediate intervention, claiming, "I don't know what's gotten into him, this came out of nowhere." When in reality, the dog was steadily allowed to climb the social ladder and given his leadership on a silver platter. It's easy for unknowing owners to miss the subtle signs...often finding such behaviors amusing at first, thereby "creating a monster" so to speak.
Sadly, most owners don't seek help until the dog has bitten someone..and at this point, rehabilitation is a long and lengthy process. The dog must undergo an intense behavior modification process and relearn what is actually expected of him. I find this to be totally unfair to the dog and completely avoidable; by asserting leadership qualities from the very start, and adhering to them for the rest of the dog's life.
Does being a leader require being mean? Quite the opposite! Having a strong, reliable leader gives the dog comfort and stability. Most dogs do not want to be leader...but are forced in the role because they deem their owner unfit of the task. These are the dogs who are often labled fear aggressive and end up growling and/or biting at very little provocation.
I find this very sad. The human equivalent to this would be leaving a young child in the care of an unfit parent who gives no guidance, sets no rules, and doesn't understand how to meet the child's basic, psychological needs. Because the unfit parent is unable to do so, the child must take charge of the home, making all the decisions and expected to fend for themselves. The child would be anxiety ridden, emotionally unstable, and fearful for the rest of his life; and all of his relationships would be toxic because of the lack of security in his life.
All a dog wants is to be shown that someone else--someone who is capable and strong--is in charge of their environment. Just like a child with a capable parent, a dog derives their security through a capable leader. Taking the time to learn how to communicate through a dog's language and become a stable leader is vitally important to his psychological well being---doing anything less is a huge disservice to our canine friends.
So the next time you get frustrated with your dog, think in terms of canine reasoning; and give your dog a break. We brought the dog into the human world. The least we can do, if we truly love him, is to learn his language and communicate under terms that he can learn, comprehend, and attempt to follow through with what is expected of him. That's not so much to ask of a friend who provides us with unconditional love, devotion, and companionship....is it? Think like a dog, act like a dog, teach your dog like a dog; your dog will thank you for it!
Kimberly Carnevale
Kimberly Carnevale is a professional handler/trainer of dogs with 20+ years of experience. Her award-winning educational/character building programs have been featured on TV, in magazines and in her books. For more information: http://www.CanineAbility.com |
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